This is the cutest Valentine idea that I have seen this year! Karrie at Happy Money Saver created these adorable printable bag toppers to use with Cuties fruit. She has several versions available on her site when you sign up for her newsletter.

What is typically on sale in January? It makes sense that Christmas items will be, but also look for cold medication, organizational items, furniture, and diet food discounts. What produce is in season? The complete list of fruits and veggies can be found at Living Rich With Coupons. You will also find other fun facts like January being National Oatmeal Month and Fat Free Living Month. You will find similar lists for every month of the year.

I have so many things to be thankful for.

My children are healthy and happy. I wish I could see my grandchildren more, but they are living life the way children should – with all their needs met and not a single worry in their big exciting world in Germany. My husband is as good and loving as a man can possibly be. My extended family is a treasure – and there are so many of them!  I have friends I can count on no matter what. Even my old dog is sweet-tempered and loyal. It amazes me that God has given me the privilege to be part of it all.

I wish everyone the best this Thanksgiving. (and pie, lots of pie)

God Bless.

My friends and I are busy with preparations for this Saturday. We will be set up at the Boone County fairgrounds at the Holiday Bazaar. Want to shop the over 90 vendors, crafters and artists?

It is in both the Farm Bureau Building & the Witham Health Services Pavilion 9 am – 3 pm on Saturday November 17, 2012 .

We will be in the Witham Pavilion with a mix of Seasoned With Time and Mustard Seed goods. Some handmade from each of us (yes, I even made a few things!), vintage holiday items, books and a few puzzles if we have room. Von and Carol are the true artists of the group. I know Carol is making some jewelry and Von has done wonders with paper and fabric – as always.

Look for the fairgrounds off of I-65 at Exit 138 near Lebanon, Indiana. We hope to see you there!

My friend has this display of pumpkin Halloween decor at her garage sale. She even has little bitty pumpkins to use as bowl fillers. I have my eye on the big one for my porch, but I keep reminding myself that I am supposed to be clearing things out at this sale – not bringing more home…we shall just have to wait and see how well my resistance holds up.

In today’s local newspaper there is an article about local businesses with pumpkin flavors on the menu. They made pumpkin donuts and Snap-O-Lantern ice cream (pumpkin with ginger snap cookies) sound SO good! You can read the article here: Where to go to get your fill of fall’s signature pumpkin flavor.

I have been easing into the Christmas shopping season.

I skipped Black Friday. Yes, I missed it entirely. I realize that I missed some great deals, but I zoned out when my newspaper weighed as much as a sack of potatoes. Is it possible to have advertisement overload? I didn’t even read the store ads…though I did read the Saturday newspaper articles about other shoppers.

My husband and I are attempting to make our holiday shopping stress-free. So far it is working just fine to prioritize and shop with a plan. There are sales every week, both online and in stores, so if we miss one special sale there will be another.

I hope everyone gets what they want for Christmas…but I am taking hot chocolate breaks while I shop for it!

I wish you all the best this Thanksgiving.

Whether you are waking up slow or already in the stores, eating in or going out, please enjoy your day.  I plan to see as many family members as possible and call a truce with my calories for 24 hours because there will be pie – and I love pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Earlier this year I wrote about the regional flat rate boxes now available online through USPS.  I had eBay shipments in mind at the time, but I am finding many personal uses for these money saving boxes.

Do you have relatives that live in nearby states? I do.  Most of our family lives in Illinois.  Today I shipped 3 pound boxes to both mothers – and it cost me the 2 pound rate.  Of course, purchasing online also saved me the cost of delivery confirmation and gave me a small discount on the postage, too. 

I used the regional boxes for birthday presents last month.  $4.97 to ship the regional box A from Indiana to Illinois is much cheaper than a tank of gas!

You should check for this savings if you are shipping your gifts instead of driving to see Mom this year. The less you spend on postage the more you can spend on her gift, right?

March 2 is Read Across America Day.   Many of our schools and libraries are participating.  This sounds like a great idea to a book lover like me. 

Whether you read on paper or on screen, pick up a book and read…if you can read with a child that’s even better!  This is an annual celebration that takes place around the time of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  You can read more about it at the National Education Association’s web site.

I plan to read one of my Dr. Seuss books just for fun.  What will you be reading?

As I turn the calendar page this morning I circle a few dates.  March brings daylight savings time, my youngest son’s 26th birthday, and the first day of Spring.  

Sometime this month we should begin to notice the longer days, shorter nights, and warmer weather.  I am anxious to spend time outside on my porch without a snow shovel or bag of ice melt. 

What does the beginning of March mean to you?  I am excited!